Measles Alert: Stay Informed, Stay Protected
There are currently no confirmed measles cases in Vanderburgh County, but cases continue to increase across Indiana and the surrounding Tri-State area.
Protect yourself and your community by making sure you and your family are up to date on the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. Contact your healthcare provider or the Vanderburgh County Health Department if you are unsure of your vaccination status or need to get vaccinated.
If you think you may have measles, stay home and call your healthcare provider before visiting a clinic, urgent care, or emergency department. Calling ahead allows healthcare staff to take precautions to protect other patients and staff from exposure.
Proud to share that our manuscript, “Five-Year Outcomes of a CHW-Driven Maternal-Infant Health Model through a County Health Department in a Medically Underserved Region,” which highlights the incredible work of our Pre to 3 home visitation program, has been published in the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved (JHCPU) from Johns Hopkins University Press! This manuscript reflects years of dedication to strengthening early childhood support systems in our community. We are incredibly grateful for Purdue University, our staff, community partners, and the families we serve who made this possible.
Indiana has had its first confirmed case of Measles in 5 years. One case is considered an outbreak. Measles is the most contagious disease known with 90% of unvaccinated/under vaccinated individuals getting the disease after exposure. There is not a current cure for Measles (it has to run its course with supportive medication), and vaccines are they ONLY way to prevent disease. Children under the age of 5 are most at risk for severe complications from measles, including death. People who have measles can spread the virus to others from four days before the rash appears to four days after. The virus can live on infected surfaces and in the air for up to two hours. To schedule your appointment, you can call 812-435-2400 option 1, or you can contact your primary care provider.
The Vanderburgh County would like to recognize and congratulate the Foundation for Better Health on being a recipient of the Early Years Initiative Grant through Lilly Endowment Inc.
Employees, clients, and visitors cannot use tobacco products of any kind on VCHD owned or leased property such as the building, grounds, immediate adjacent city sidewalks surrounding the building, parking lots, and vehicles.
- Tobacco Products: This category includes all forms of tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery systems including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, snuff, chewing tobacco, strips, sticks, orbs (nicotine pellets), smokeless tobacco, electronic-cigarettes, vapes, heat-not-burn products, loose tobacco, and cigarette paper.
- Employee: Any individual who is employed by the VCHD, IDOH, or is an intern.
- Client: Any individual receiving services at the VCHD.
- Visitor: Any individual not classified as an employee or a client.
This policy has been adapted from the Olmstead County Public Health Department in Michigan as part of the Tobacco Free Grounds Policy Toolkit for Worksites.
The Vanderburgh County Health Department is the third health department in Indiana to receive accreditation.
Becoming an Accredited Health Department embodies a commitment to national standards set by the Public Health Accreditation Board. This certification ensures that the Vanderburgh County Health Department will strive for continuous improvement, increase our credibility within public health, and proves we are accountable to the community we serve.
